Protectimus SMART vs RustDesk Remote Desktop
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Protectimus SMART
This free two-factor authentication app provides secure access to websites requiring 2FA. It offers encrypted cloud backup, PIN and biometric protection, easy token transfer, and customization options for enhanced account security.
- Encrypted cloud backup
- PIN and biometric protection
- Token transfer to new devices
- Token customization
- Folder sorting
- Supports OATH algorithms (HOTP, TOTP, OCRA)
- Data signature function
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Protectimus SMART OTP is currently the best two-factor authentication app worldwide. This free 2FA authenticator supports encrypted cloud backup, PIN and biometric authentication protection, simple token transfer to new devices, token customization, and folder sorting. The multi-factor authentication app Protectimus SMART OTP can be used to secure any website that requires two-factor authentication. Let's take a closer look at the features of this 2FA authenticator. - One of the most significant improvements in the new version of Protectimus SMART OTP is encrypted cloud backup. This feature ensures that users can recover their 2FA tokens if they lose their device or upgrade to a new one. - The app also makes it easy to transfer tokens to a new device and import tokens from Google Authenticator, making it simple to switch to Protectimus SMART OTP from other 2FA authenticators. - Additionally, Protectimus SMART OTP supports PIN and biometric authentication protection, including Touch ID and Face ID. - The 2FA app is compatible with a wide range of websites and applications as it supports all OATH one-time password generation algorithms such as HOTP, TOTP, and OCRA. - The MFA app also includes a data signature function (Confirm What You See) to help users better control their financial transactions. - The 2FA token Protectimus SMART OTP can generate 6 and 8-digit one-time passwords. Moreover, the 2FA authenticator offers several new features designed to make it more convenient for users to securely access their accounts. These include: - Delivery of push notifications. - The ability to customize tokens with different emojis and descriptions. - Convenient distribution of OTP tokens by folders. - Multiple language support (English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian). Overall, Protectimus SMART OTP is a comprehensive 2FA authentication app that offers excellent features to help users secure their online accounts more efficiently and conveniently.
RustDesk Remote Desktop
This open-source application provides remote desktop access and control. It functions as an alternative to commercial remote access software, allowing users to manage their computers from a distance. Note that it only supports controlling other devices, not screen sharing or being controlled itself.
- Open-source remote desktop
- Remote access and control
- TeamViewer alternative
- Self-hosting capability
- Cross-platform support
- Low input lag
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An open-source remote desktop application. The open source TeamViewer alternative. Source code: https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk Doc: https://rustdesk.com/docs Please be reminded that this app only has the ability to control, and it does not have the functionality of being controlled or screen sharing. WARNING: YOU MAY BE BEING SCAMMED! If you are on the phone with someone you DON'T know AND TRUST who has asked you to install RustDesk, do not install and hang up immediately. They are likely a scammer trying to steal your money or other private information.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: RustDesk Remote Desktop at every 6 weeks against Protectimus SMART's every 7 months. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on ratings volume (99 vs 18). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for Protectimus SMART against 3.9 for RustDesk Remote Desktop. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RustDesk Remote Desktop has 99 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 57% of Protectimus SMART's written reviews are positive against 59% of RustDesk Remote Desktop's.
Protectimus SMART ships an update every 7 months, RustDesk Remote Desktop every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Protectimus SMART | RustDesk Remote Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (18 ratings) | 3.9 (99 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | 58.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 18 | 99 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Protectimus Limited | Purslane Limited |
Customer experience
Protectimus SMART
RustDesk Remote Desktop
Bugs and requests
Protectimus SMART
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
RustDesk Remote Desktop
Reported bugs
38 issues- Recent update broke iPad mouse alignment
- No image displayed from PC (black screen)
- Remember Password function doesn't work
- Black screen when remoting into Raspberry Pi Linux server (Wayland)
- Keyboard issues when remoting from iPhone to PC
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- Cannot control Mac
- iPad app fails to connect or shows key mismatch error
- App crashes or becomes unresponsive
- Connection issues over mobile data network
- Session closes after a short period
- Key presses duplicated or not registered with external keyboard
- Settings/Preferences not preserved
- iOS language icon covers toolbar collapse icon
- Previous direct IP sessions not saved
- Enter key does not work in address bar
- Copy/Paste broken
- Latest update deleted saved connections
- App not responding after update
- Connection Error, Operation not permitted (error 1) on iOS
- Mouse overflows monitor content, preventing clicks on edges
- Double-clicking behavior in touch mouse/pad options
- App launches but window vanishes on old iPads
- Crash on app startup (v1.2.7, iOS 12.2)
- Cannot paste remote ID by holding text input
- iOS client attempting to control Android results in frozen interface
- Cannot control Windows PC typing from iPhone
- Version 1.2.7 has issues on iPad (cannot launch)
- Address book empty on Pro version
- Arrow keys do not function like a desktop keyboard
- Phone heats up during use
- Mouse pointer on desktop and iPad not lined up
- Flakey behavior with keyboard and trackpad on iPad
- Scaling displays issues on iPad
- Key mismatch error with iPad app
- Virtual machine control issues (keyboard repeats or fails to register)
- Mobile network connection issues
- Cannot connect over mobile data network
- UI icon not centered
Requested features
13 requests- Add option to view and modify USB drives in file transfer mode
- Improve mouse and keyboard control configurability
- Allow Apple Pencil to function as a mouse
- Support iPhone remote control of each other
- Add option to automatically switch display/monitor to follow remote window focus
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- Sync remote ID list by iCloud
- Improve Wayland support
- Add option to change two-finger gesture behavior (scroll vs. move canvas)
- Center remote screen when zooming
- Remap controls for mouse actions
- Integrate arrow keys with device keyboard
- Support iPhone to Android control
- Support Windows remote typing from iPhone
In-app purchases
Protectimus SMART
No in-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Protectimus SMART free?
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Which has better reviews, Protectimus SMART or RustDesk Remote Desktop?
Do Protectimus SMART or RustDesk Remote Desktop have ads?
Which is updated more often, Protectimus SMART or RustDesk Remote Desktop?
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